Socialist Register 1978 Preface

Abstract

This is the fifteenth issue of The Socialist Register and we express once again our thanks for their help to our contributors; to Martin Eve and David Musson of Merlin Press; and to Paul Edmunson and Giinter Minnerup for their translation of Rudolf Bahro's article. The essays in this volume deal with many different subjects, and do so in different ways. But they nevertheless suggest and exemplify a common concern: with the socialist critique of Soviet-type and late capitalist regimes; and with the theoretical, programmatic and organisational problems that need to be tackled in order to reach coherent and adequate socialist positions. We will continue to explore these themes in future volumes. The essay by Colin Leys stands on its own here; but it is a further contribution to the interpretation of contemporary African experience which has been a continuing feature of the Register. To speak of a common concern is not to suggest that we all necessarily agree with each other's views; and it may be as well to make the point explicitly.